Gait instability caused by vestibular disorders - analysis by tactile sensor

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Vestibular lesions significantly impact gait stability.
• Assessing gait performance is crucial for understanding vestibular system disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gait performance instability in patients with vestibular lesions using tactile sensors.
• To correlate gait parameters with specific vestibular pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Gait analysis with tactile sensors in 92 patients (vestibular neuritis, acoustic neuroma, spinocerebellar degeneration) and 26 controls.
• Measured gait phase variables, foot pressure progression, and integrated foot pressure.
• Compared data between pathological groups, controls, and between lesioned and intact sides in unilateral cases.

Main Results:

• Gait variables were significantly higher in patients than controls, especially with eyes closed.
• Morphological irregularity in foot pressure progression was observed in vestibular neuritis and spinocerebellar degeneration.
• Increased pressure on the lesion-side foot in vestibular neuritis suggests a shift in the center of gravity.

Conclusions:

• Tactile sensor-based gait analysis provides key insights into vestibular pathophysiology.
• Gait performance tests are valuable additions to vestibular function testing for vertigo patients.